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Federal gov’t pushes Trans Mountain

Wednesday, May 16, 2018
1:59:55 MDT PM

Nearly 100 supporters gathered outside the conference centre hosting the Kinder Morgan annual general meeting in downtown Calgary on Wednesday to show their unwavering support for the Trans Mountain pipeline amid uncertainty about whether the project will go forward.
Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia Network

A Sherwood Park-housed pipeline project in limbo has seen a rally of support.

Last month, Kinder Morgan announced the suspension of work for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, running from its Baseline Road terminal to Burnaby, B.C.

While constant conflict has arisen in the form of court challenges from the B.C. government, Alberta waits to see Kinder Morgan’s final decision on the build by the May 31 suspension deadline.

However, the company saw a boost in support on Wednesday, as more than 100 people gathered outside Kinder Morgan’s annual general meeting in downtown Calgary to stand behind the Trans Mountain line.

The rally started shortly after Finance Minister Bill Morneau said in Ottawa that the government is committed to getting the pipeline built — even if Kinder Morgan pulls out of the controversial $7.4-billion project.

Morneau said the federal government has a “clear role” to play in the pipeline dispute.

“We are willing to indemnify the Trans Mountain expansion against unnecessary delays that are politically motivated,” he said.

“If Kinder Morgan is not interested in building the project, we think plenty of investors would be interested in taking on this project, especially knowing that the federal government believes it is in the best interest of Canadians and is willing to indemnify to make sure it gets built.”

Morneau also pointed to continued delays from B.C. Premier John Horgan’s “deliberate attempts to derail the project.”

While visiting Edmonton for a large-scale infrastructure announcement in the capital city, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau maintained the pipeline will be built.

“I don’t think there is anything I can say that would reassure some of my critics that have such little faith in my government getting anything done for Alberta,” he said, before stating: “I can tell you my government is doing, and will continue to do, everything necessary to defend federal jurisdiction... and get this pipeline built.

“We continue to work hard every day, visibly but also behind the scenes, to ensure that it’s going to get built and I’m very, very confident this pipeline is going to get built.”

The Trans Mountain line expansion would add to the existing 1953-originated pipeline, twinning the system to increase product transportation and reach increased international markets.

“We see a path to an outcome that will assure that we can get the advantage that we’re seeking,” Morneau said.

“That’s why those discussions are ongoing. We do know that in order to make sure that we have that path, we need to deal with the extraordinary risks that have been presented by Premier Horgan.”

While many may perceive the federal backing as propulsion for the project to move forward, Greenpeace Canada was quick to state it as a sign of the pipeline expansion’s doom.

“It seems like not even Kinder Morgan wants to move forward with this destructive project,” Greenpeace Canada climate and energy campaigner Mike Hudema said in a statement.